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49 CFR Container Specifications

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Code of Federal Regulations governs the safe transportation of goods and waste materials. These regulations ensure the safety of motorists and the environment. To understand the requirements for containers, you have to identify what is being shipped, determine the individual weight of the unit, and assess what hazards exist because of the physical makeup of the container's contents.

  1. Assess Necessary Containment

    • Once containers pass customs they fall under the CFR, at which point these containers have to be inspected as being "travel-safe."

      Carrying benign cargo requires no special considerations, other than that the container must be able to contain its contents without spillage. For instance, if a truck is hauling toilet paper, it would be possible to classify the truck trailer as its container, without secondary packaging, and the driver would need only a manifest identifying the load.

    Flammable Liquids

    • Placards are required on trucks carrying flammables, corrosives, gases, explosives and any other hazardous substance.

      Any liquid substance that has a flash point under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is classified as flammable and also falls under National Fire Protection Association codes, as well as all DOT regulations that accompany this classification. The containers may hold hold no more than the suggested volume. In addition, the container must safely house contents in specified temperature ranges, and resist corrosion from reactions with organic and oxidizing substances.

    Corrosives, Reactives and Oxidizers

    • Corrosive containers have shelf lives according to their contents, which should be tranferred to new containers upon expiration.

      Use containers that are specifically designed to guard against corrosive damage by the contained substance. The most commonly used containers for corrosive storage are made from polymer-based plastic. These are the most durable and least likely to react with organic and oxidizing compounds. Because plastics are poor conductors, using them will also guard against temperature fluctuations and help seals remain airtight.

    Labeling Containers

    • Label all containers correctly as containing hazardous or benign cargo. Benign materials are fine by themselves, but almost all manufactured materials contain some form of petroleum ingredient or byproduct. Petroleum-based products can act as as catalyst for a chemical reaction with many organic chemicals. Label every container with the designated information that the DOT provides.

    Review Regulations

    • Label containers correctly. This container is fine for storage but not transportation.

      Research federal regulations before assuming that all guidelines have been followed. Regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Material Safety Data Sheet will provide you the necessary tools to discover and understand all codes of government authority and unique characteristics of your cargo. Look for amendments and revisions, because the respective agencies alter regulations to conform with manufacturing updates and international law.

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